Mexican architect Fernanda Canales has been recognized as one of most influential female leaders by the New York Times.
The New York Times has recognized Mexican Fernanda Canales as one of 10 women who are changing the landscape of leadership around the world.
The publication shared that only 3 of the world’s largest 100 architectural firms are headed by women.
Fernanda is a board member of the Tec de Monterrey School of Architecture, Art and Design, and one of her goals is to inspire more young people and women to work on innovative and sustainable architecture.
“It’s very important to think about things differently, to question how something is done, and to change what doesn’t work or isn’t justified,” she explained in an interview with CONECTA.
“Let’s have more women in architecture.”
Fernanda said that the presence of female architects and their vision will become increasingly important.
She shared that architects like her or some of those from her generation had no role models. They also faced discrimination at work.
“It’s a real source of motivation to show that you’re a professional and that your time is valuable,” she mentioned in the interview.
The architect recalled that she had participated in a competition to design a monument for the Mexican Independence bicentennial in 2010. Of the 50 projects received, only 2 were submitted by women.
Fernanda highlights the importance of having diversity in architecture and including more women.
“I think it’s very important to promote diverse and unique visions that approach problems with a fresh pair of eyes and resolve current issues, not past ones.”
Leaving her mark on Casa Bruma
One example of Fernanda’s work is Casa Bruma, which was designed to look as if it had exploded and its parts had been scattered around, accommodating themselves within the vegetation.
The living room, main room, bedrooms, and other spaces are located around a central courtyard and are joined together by glass-walled corridors.
The objective was to avoid felling trees on the site, and so that each space can receive natural light.
Building the cities of the future
“Creating cities for everyone,” is what Canales says when asked about the main challenges presented by the cities of the future.
“Cities are going to change because today we know things that we didn’t know a few years ago, especially in terms of environmental issues,” she says.
She also believes that Mexico is one of the countries that will most need societal involvement in future urban planning.
“We need to stop placing urban development in the hands of politicians with short-term visions and speculative agendas,” she says.
Projects, education, and new generations
The projects that demonstrate her flair range from libraries, parks, markets, and retirement homes to childcare facilities, civic centers, and sports venues.
“Architecture must be both personal refuge and a space for interacting with people and the world,” she says.
Fernanda Canales’ projects include supporting education as a board member of the Tec de Monterrey School of Architecture, Art and Design.
“The role of schools is very difficult because they have to teach students to question established practices, to question their teachers, and to question the school itself,” she says.
Her achievements
- Casa Bruma, winner of the 2018 CEMEX Building Award in the National and International Residential Housing categories.
- Winner of the 2018 Emerging Voices award, organized by The Architectural League of New York in 2018
- Contender for the 2018 Swiss Architectural Award
- Nominated for the 2019 Royal Academy Dorfman Award
- The only Mexican participant with an exhibit in the central Pavilion of the Venice Biennale, January 2021
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